Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Narthex Press
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Third Tone
O Holy Apostle and Evangelist Luke, intercede with our merciful God, that He may grant our souls forgiveness of sins.
Fourth Tone
A model of faith and the image of gentleness, the example of your life has shown you forth to your sheep-fold to be a master of temperance. You obtained thus through being lowly, gifts from on high, and riches through poverty. Nicholas, our father and priest of priests, intercede with Christ our God that He may save our souls.
Reading is under copyright and is used with permission, all rights reserved by: Holy Transfiguration Monastery
Fourth Orthros Gospel
The Reading is from Luke 24:1-12
On the first day of the week at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking spices, which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, "Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how He told you, while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise." And they remembered His words and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the Apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened.
Prokeimenon. Plagal Second Mode. Psalm 27.9,1.
O Lord, save your people and bless your inheritance.
Verse: To you, O Lord, I have cried, O my God.
The reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians 6:11-18.
Brethren, see with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand. It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that would compel you to be circumcised, and only in order that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For even those who receive circumcision do not themselves keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may glory in your flesh. But far be it from me to glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision counts for anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. Peace and mercy be upon all who walk by this rule, upon the Israel of God. Henceforth let no man trouble me; for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen.
Sunday before Holy Cross
The Reading is from John 3:13-17
The Lord said, "No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him."
Today, a 1 Year Memorial will be chanted for Krystalli Sofianos, mother of Panagiotis (Yulia) and Joanna, and grandmother of Nicholas, Jonathon, Demetrios, Alexander, Christina, Krystianna, and Aristoteles, and her nieces and cousins. May her memory be eternal.
We welcome you to worship with us today. Whether you are an Orthodox Christian or this is your first visit to an Orthodox Church, we are pleased to have you with us. Holy Communion is offered to and received only by baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians who have spiritually prepared to receive the Eucharist. All are invited to receive the blessed bread at the end of Liturgy and may ask for a special blessing. God bless you!
For the spiritual comfort and peace of all, please silence your cell phones. Thank you!
We have a dedicated social media account. If you take a picture at a Service or Parish Event that you would like to share on social media, please send it to [email protected]
LITURGICAL SCHEDULE:
Today - Sunday Before the Holy Cross
Elevation of the Cross -- September 14 -- Orthros and Divine Liturgy @ 8:30/9:30 am
SUNDAY SCHOOL: resumes on September 20th
BIBLE STUDY: resumes September 22 with the Gospel of John.
KNITTING MINISTRY - will meet again at 10:30 on September 16th.
GREEK DANCING LESSONS FOR CHILDREN
We have a volunteer who is willing to teach Greek dancing to young children, kindergarten age and above. Please call the office at (413) 525-4551 to have your name put on a list if interested. Our dance groups have provided a wonderful experience for those involved, and we'd like to give our newest group the same opportunity!
HALL RENTAL MINISTRY - We are in the process of finding a person who would like to volunteer to head our rental ministry. If you have an interest in this opportunity and would like to find out more about the position, please call the church office at (413) 525-4551.
50th ANNIVERSARY GALA INFORMATION
***We have a dedicated email address for photos from Saint Luke's last 50 years. Please email any photos you have to [email protected] and we will put a video montage together for the Gala.
To the best of your recollection, please include any names, setting, and decade (or even year) the photo was taken.
Thank you!
***50th Anniversary Gala Update
We’ve received many inquiries about tickets for our 50th Anniversary Gala Dinner Dance. You should have received a mailing this week with all the information. If you have any other questions, please call the office at 413-525-4551.
Gala table reservations are being accepted now. Cash or checks will be accepted. The last day to make your reservation is October 25th.
We look forward to celebrating this special milestone with our St. Luke’s family and friends!
A message from our Parish Council president...
It will be here before you know it!!
Fall is such a busy time here at St. Luke's. The Ecclesiastical year begins, and with that many of our ministries that have taken a well-deserved break will be gearing up to get back into the swing of things. So take a look below at some events coming up.
September 20 - St. Luke's Anniversary Jubilee Picnic
October 16 & 17 - St. Luke's Taste of Greece
October 18 & November 1 - Philoptochos Artoclasia
November 7 - St. Luke's 50th Anniversary Dinner Dance
14 - Grateful & Gathering Day of Scrapbooking @ St. Luke's
15 - St. Luke's General Assembly
22 - St. Luke's Harvest Dinner
2. PHILOPTOCHOS MINISTRY
Philoptochos Announcements
Join Us for a Day of Scrapbooking!
We’re excited to announce a Day of Scrapbooking benefiting the St. Luke Philoptochos Society on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at St. Luke Greek Orthodox Church, 400 Prospect St., East Longmeadow, MA 01028.
This fun-filled “Grateful & Gathering” crop-tastic event begins at 9:00 AM and will feature beginner and advanced classes, make-n-takes, raffles, a paper buffet, swap table, Creative Memories, snacks and beverages, lunch and/or dinner, and plenty of surprises throughout the day!
Three sessions are available:
Help Us Create Fun Raffle Baskets!
As a way to increase the proceeds from this fundraiser and support the important work of St. Luke Philoptochos, our group will be creating fun, creative themed raffle baskets for participants to purchase chances to win.
We are asking for your help with donations! We are looking for:
And if you’re out tag-sale shopping, please keep an eye out for baskets! You may find the perfect basket for us at a great price.
We will begin collecting donations the first week of September and continue through the end of October, giving us plenty of time to create some fabulous baskets for our November event.
Every donation, large or small, will help us turn this fun day into an even greater fundraiser for St. Luke Philoptochos and the individuals and families we serve.
Please save the date, spread the word, and help us make this event a huge success!
***Lawn signs are now available in the Pappas Hall***
The TOG Committee will be available for sign-ups on POINT every Sunday beginning today at coffee hour.
Next Workshop: Tuesday, September 22nd - Spanakopita
Spanakopita Advanced Sales: Trays of Spanakopita will be available for $45/tray prior to the Taste of Greece. Trays must be paid for and picked up prior to the event. The price will be $50/tray the days of the event and following.
4. LOAVES & FISHES MINISTRY
Each month, the St. Luke Loaves & Fishes ministry prepares a meal that feeds 150-200 people at the Springfield Community Soup Kitchen. By putting our faith into action, our parishioners contribute in the practical way to live out our religious principles, such as the call to "love your neighbor as yourself" and to "feed the hungry" (Matthew 25:35).
Loaves & Fishes Community Soup Kitchen has provided prepared meals to people who are disadvantaged in Greater Springfield on a daily basis since it began in 1980. Lunch and supper are available seven days a week. Loaves & Fishes is a life sustaining service and essential to the health of people in need. Providing meals is not only a way to prevent malnutrition and improve health, but also a way to connect people to other essential services.
Our St. Luke parishioners donate monthly meals for approximately 150-200 guests to the soup kitchen during the third week of each month. The meals are delivered the third Friday of each month by parishioner Bill Sakel to the soup kitchen at the South Congregational Church in Springfield.
Please take advantage of participating in this meaningful ministry. Also, a recipe book is available with suggestions for meals that feed a crowd. The recipe book will be in the Parish Hall on the easel where the signup board is, for all to use.
Springfield Rescue Mission: If you are interested in providing a dinner meal for the New Life Rehabilitation Program, please reach out to Julie at (413) 732-0808 ext. 220.
Theme: “Rise Up and Build” — Building up the body of Christ.
Stewardship packets have been sent out. If you haven't done so yet, please fill out the requested information and return it to the church in the enclosed envelope. Also, please let this be a reminder to fulfill any remaining 2025 pledges.
St. Luke’s parish runs on a financial stewardship giving basis and our church is here for us to meet all of our sacramental needs every day of every month of the year.
When thanks to the wholehearted concentration of the heart,* aspiration for God becomes our constant possession, then our joy will be measureless and life will be spiritual. We can also understand what kind of connection we have with God by whether our joy is small or great, full or imperfect. As great as our joy is, so strong is our connection with God. We shouldn’t become despondent, for joy makes our life very easy, thanks to which we’re able to live.
Geronta Aimilianos of Simonopetra (+)
*he is speakinjg here of the Jesus Prayer, the Prayer of the Heart
The church that is honoured far above all others is that of the Holy Resurrection, which Saint Constantine the Great constructed at the place of Golgotha, where our Saviour was crucified and buried. For a long time this place had been purposely buried beneath the earth by the Jews and heathen; furthermore, during the reign of Hadrian (117-138), a temple dedicated to Aphrodite was built over the site so that this sacred place might be even further desecrated and fall into utter oblivion. It was here that the Cross was hidden. However, at the command of the pious Emperor Constantine, excavations were made and the tokens of the saving Passion were found. It was here, then, that the very great and magnificent temple named in honour of Christ God's Resurrection-the Anastasis-was built under the supervision of the blessed Helen, while Dracilian was Eparch of Palestine and Macarius was Archbishop of Jerusalem. It was the latter, also, who exalted the venerable Cross and performed the consecration of this temple in the year 336.
Read the latest Diakonia Newsletter for this Sunday
https://bulletinbuilder.org/diakonia-newsletter/2026-09-13?source=bulletin_web
September 13, 2026